At Engineered Systems, no operation, from design to service, can take place without safety in mind.
To recognize National Safety Month, we had a conversation with our Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Manager, Lenora Brooks, to discuss her career, how safety has evolved over the years, and what she believes every worker should know before stepping on a job site.
A Career Dedicated to Safety
Lenora Brooks has spent over 30 years in the environmental health and safety industry. Before entering the EHS field, she worked as a nurse, which is a background that shaped her approach to workplace safety.
After beginning her safety career at DuPont, Lenora joined Engineered Systems in 2010. While nursing and industrial safety may seem like very different professions, she sees a direct connection between the two.
“You can’t have a safe workforce without a healthy workforce.”
That philosophy continues to influence how safety is approached at ESI. From annual health screenings and wellness initiatives to ensuring technicians have the resources they need to stay hydrated and healthy in the field, employee wellbeing remains an important part of ESI’s overall safety culture.
How Has Safety Culture Changed Over the Years?
Over the course of Lenora’s career, one of the biggest changes she has witnessed has been the impact of technology. Years ago, safety documentation often involved physical documentation and lengthy communication processes.
Today, critical information is readily accessible through digital platforms, making it easier for employees to find safety manuals, safety data sheets, training materials, and documentation whenever they need it.
“We have barcodes where people can find our safety manual or safety data sheets online so you don’t have to find the physical copies.”
Technology has also improved communication between customers, employees, and safety professionals, allowing documentation and reporting to be completed more efficiently than ever before.
Lenora has also seen significant changes in industry standards and regulations. One example was the transition from Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to Safety Data Sheets (SDS), which simplified hazard communication and improved consistency across industries.
Another major shift was the adoption of NFPA 70E electrical safety standards. As someone who takes a proactive approach to safety, learning and implementing these new standards was challenging but necessary to better protect our employees and customers.
“OSHA standards are the bare minimum. OSHA is what you have to do, not what you need to do necessarily.”
That mindset reflects ESI’s broader approach to safety: not simply meeting requirements, but continuously looking for ways to better protect employees in the field.
Stories from the Field
With more than three decades in the safety profession, Lenora has experienced moments and learned lessons that have stayed with her throughout her career.
“Every accident sticks with you – near-miss or full-on, minor or serious. I don’t think there’s a manager out there who will tell you that when an accident happens, they don’t carry it with them for a while. We have been fortunate at this company; we work at really high heights, around electricity and moving machinery, and I’m proud to say that we’ve never lost anyone.”
One incident from years ago still stands out. A technician was sent to inspect a wire rope, and feeling pressed for time, he skipped critical steps which resulted in a serious injury.
“I think everyone learned a pretty valuable lesson,” Lenora said. “What we do is dangerous, and you can’t rush it. You have to do it the right way, every time.”
The Danger of Complacency
One easily identified problem in the field is the danger of complacency.
Employees often pay close attention to tasks that obviously appear dangerous, such as working at height or performing lockout/tagout procedures. The greater challenge is maintaining the same level of focus during routine activities.
“I think it’s the simple things. I think the hard things people stop and think about, but it’s the simple things that people overlook in the safety world.”
Lenora believes complacency is one of the greatest risks employees face because it can lead people to overlook hazards they encounter every day.
“If you become complacent just one time, it could be that one time that gets you.”
Luckily, as Lenora has seen, safety culture has shifted from a reactive culture, identifying a problem after something went wrong, towards a more proactive culture.
“Trying to predict the hazards before they happen has been a huge plus in the safety world as we’ve evolved.”
What Everyone Should Know
When asked what she wishes everyone understood about safety, Lenora answered, “Never take a day for granted. Always take time to stop and think because you may not get that opportunity again. One mistake can change your whole life.”
She also emphasized the role leaders play in creating safe work environments.
“Managers need to make sure that the guys are not rushed into a job, that they understand the safety parameters around that job and what it may or may not require. Safety needs to be built into every job these guys are out there doing.”
When asked what people overlook most often, Lenora said, “The importance of safety. We are a very production-driven world, running 900 miles an hour, and it’s all about production, production, production. But safety is not a bottom-line business. Without it, you’re not going to get a whole lot of production. Although it is seldom revered, it is a very integral part of what goes on around here every day.”
How ESI Prioritizes Safety
At Engineered Systems, safety is built into every stage of the process.
As Lenora explained, “We build safety into every crane we make and manufacture from the time we make the blueprint of what the crane is going to look like, to when we sell it, install it, and maintain it. Safety is a part of every aspect of it.”
Our commitment to safety is demonstrated through our weekly safety meetings, regular inspections, ongoing training, and in our people who take personal ownership of their safety.
Engineered Systems also wants to extend that safety mindset to its customers.
In the crane and hoist industry, Lenora notes, many equipment issues trace back to operators who weren’t properly trained in the first place. By investing in customer training, ESI helps protect not just the equipment, but the people operating it.
“Their crane is going to last a lot longer if their people are not abusing it and if they understand what their lifting capacities are,” she said. “Training them keeps their cranes running better, and it helps with safety too.”
A Final Thought
National Safety Month is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of safety, but the responsibility to work safely is an every day mindset.
As Lenora emphasized, the importance of safety is often overlooked when we become complacent and comfortable with everyday tasks. That is why staying vigilant and committed to safe work practices is so important. At the end of the day, working safely protects not only your own wellbeing, but also the people around you and the loved ones waiting for you at home.
If you have questions about crane safety, inspections, training, preventative maintenance, or building a stronger safety culture within your facility, contact us today! Our team is here to help you create a safer and more productive workplace.
